Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India will seek to advance its vision for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), with security, connectivity and opportunity at its core, during his upcoming visit to Central Asia.

Modi is travelling to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic from August 29 to September 1. He said he is looking forward to working with SCO members towards a region free from terrorism, separatism and extremism.

The Prime Minister said his visit is aimed at strengthening India’s strategic partnerships in Central Asia and further deepening the civilisational links between India and the region.

PM Modi to visit Uzbekistan

At the invitation of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Modi will visit Tashkent on August 29 and 30 for a state visit.

He said the India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership has made significant progress in recent years and that his discussions with Mirziyoyev will focus on further expanding cooperation.

The areas of cooperation will include trade and investment, digital connectivity, defence and energy, along with the shared visions of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Yangi Uzbekistan’.

During his stay in Tashkent, Modi will also visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, highlighting the cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Uzbekistan.

Modi to attend 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek

From Tashkent, Modi will travel to Bishkek at the invitation of Kyrgyz Republic President Sadyr Zhaparov to participate in the 26th SCO Summit.

The summit marks 25 years of the SCO. Modi is also scheduled to meet President Zhaparov and other SCO leaders during the visit.

He will attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, which celebrates the cultural heritage of Central Asia.

Security and connectivity among India’s SCO priorities

In his departure statement, Modi said India has remained an active and constructive SCO member since 2017.

He said India’s vision for the region is anchored in security, connectivity and opportunity, while terrorism, separatism and extremism continue to pose threats to peace and stability.

Officials said Modi will address the SCO summit and outline India’s priorities. He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with SCO leaders on the sidelines of the summit.

The Prime Minister said the visit would contribute to the shared pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity, which he described as central to India’s engagement with the world.

B Nagendra resigned from the Karnataka cabinet on Friday, August 28, amid continued political pressure over alleged financial irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.

Nagendra, who had returned to the cabinet earlier this month after D K Shivakumar became Karnataka Chief Minister, became emotional while announcing his resignation. He said the decision was taken voluntarily and denied that the Congress leadership had asked him to step down.

“I take my own decisions,” Nagendra said when asked whether the party high command had directed him to resign.

Why B Nagendra resigned

The controversy relates to alleged irregularities of Rs. 89 crore in the Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. The issue came to light in May 2024 after corporation accounts officer Chandrasekharan P died by suicide and left behind a note alleging unauthorised transfers of funds.

Subsequent investigations found that large amounts had been transferred from the corporation’s bank accounts to other accounts.

Nagendra, who was the Tribal Welfare Minister in the Siddaramaiah cabinet at the time, had resigned in June 2024 amid the controversy.

He was re-inducted into the cabinet on August 3 after Shivakumar took over as Chief Minister and was given the Planning and Statistics portfolio.

Nagendra denies allegations

While announcing his latest resignation, Nagendra questioned the allegations against him and said the BJP had been asked several times to discuss them in the Karnataka Assembly.

He alleged that the BJP was targeting him because he is a Dalit and accused the party of having an anti-tribal mindset. He also alleged that the BJP wanted to “impose the Manusmriti”.

Nagendra said he was resigning of his own free will and became emotional during the announcement.

BJP protest puts pressure on Congress

The Karnataka BJP has announced a 10-day foot march from Raichur to Ballari from September 1 to 10. The party plans to highlight what it describes as failures of the Congress government.

Nagendra’s re-induction into the cabinet was expected to be one of the major issues during the 200-km march. Other issues listed by the BJP include farmer distress, unemployment and alleged corruption in recruitment.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi is scheduled to inaugurate the march, according to Karnataka BJP chief B Y Vijayendra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday condoled the death of Norway’s King Harald V, who passed away at the age of 89.

In a post on X, PM Modi said he was deeply saddened by the death of the Norwegian monarch and recalled meeting him during his visit to Norway earlier this year.

PM Modi remembers King Harald V

PM Modi said his interaction with King Harald V left a lasting impression, particularly because of the monarch’s warmth and dedication to his country.

He extended his condolences to the Norwegian Royal Family as well as the people of Norway following the King’s death.

King Harald V was Europe’s oldest monarch at the time of his death. He had served as Norway’s king since 1991 and was known for modernising the country’s royal institution while maintaining a strong connection with the Norwegian people.

The Norwegian monarch also spent part of his childhood in exile in the United States during the Nazi occupation of Norway.

King Harald V’s death has prompted tributes from leaders and royal families around the world. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, has succeeded him following his death.